Chad Sobotka

Chad Nicholas Sobotka (born July 10, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Chad Sobotka
Sobotka with the Atlanta Braves in 2018
Atlanta Braves – No. 61
Pitcher
Born: (1993-07-10) July 10, 1993
Sarasota, Florida
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 10, 2018, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Win–loss record1–0
Earned run average5.36
Strikeouts61
Teams

Early life

Chad Sobotka was born in Sarasota, Florida, on July 10, 1993, to parents David and Kim. He has a brother Matt and a sister Stefanie.[1][2]

Career

Sobotka attended Riverview High School in Sarasota, Florida, where he first became a pitcher.[3][4] Sobotka attended University of South Carolina–Upstate, playing for the USC Upstate Spartans baseball team. In his first collegiate season, Sobotka saved twelve games, pitched ​31 1⁄3 innings, and recorded a .196 batting average against, a 1.72 earned run average, and 34 strikeouts. The next year, Sobotka made 26 appearances, with a 3.86 earned run average and .225 batting average against in ​37 1⁄3 innings pitched.[5][6] In 2013, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[7] Sobotka sat out the 2014 season with a stress fracture in his back.[5][8]

The Atlanta Braves selected Sobotka in the fourth round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft.[9][10] Sobotka received a signing bonus of $400,000 from the organization.[11] Upon his selection by the Braves, Sobotka became the first Spartan baseball player to be drafted as high as the fourth round.[12] The Braves assigned Sobotka to the Rome Braves in 2015. During his first season, Sobotka missed two months due to injury.[13] He returned to Rome at the start of the 2016 season.[14] In July, Sobotka was promoted to the Carolina Mudcats,[15] and ended the season with the Mississippi Braves.[13] Sobotka was placed on the Mississippi Braves' Opening Day roster in 2017,[16][17] and also spent time with the Florida Fire Frogs.[18] In the Southern League, Sobotka pitched to a 5.52 ERA. His Florida State League earned run average was 6.75.[19] Sobotka started the 2018 season on the Fire Frogs' roster.[18] He joined the Mississippi Braves on May 15,[20][21] prior to his selection as a Florida State League All-Star.[22] On July 21, 2018, Sobotka was promoted to the Gwinnett Stripers,[23][24] making his International League debut three days later.[25]

On August 10, 2018, the Braves promoted Sobotka to the major leagues.[26][27] He faced the Milwaukee Brewers later that night, pitching one inning in relief of Kevin Gausman and recording his first career strikeout.[28][29]

Pitching style

Sobotka is known for the speed of his fastball.[30] During the 2017 minor league season, Sobotka issued five walks per nine innings pitched, a rate that was reduced in 2018 when he adjusted the grip on his slider.[31]

References
  1. "32 Chad Sobotka". University of South Carolina Upstate. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  2. "Matt Sobotka". University of Wisconsin. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  3. Brockman, Jim (June 6, 2014). "MLB dreams come true for five area baseball players". Herald-Tribune. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  4. Brockman, Jim (June 8, 2014). "Davis is first of five picked on final day". Herald Tribune. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  5. "Sobotka Selected by Atlanta Braves in MLB Draft". University of South Carolina Upstate. July 6, 2014. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  6. Yanity, Pete (August 10, 2018). "USC Upstate Alum Sobotka Called-Up By Braves". WSPA. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  7. Bowman, Mark (June 6, 2014). "Braves take college righty Sobotka in fourth round". MLB.com. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  8. Shanesy, Todd (June 6, 2014). "SMC's Rogers, Upstate's Sobotka taken in MLB draft". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  9. LeCompte, Ricardo (June 6, 2014). "Upstate players taken on second day of MLB Draft". WYFF. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  10. Walton, Carroll Rogers (June 6, 2014). "Braves emphasize tall power arms in early draft rounds". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  11. Brockman, Jim (June 12, 2014). "Top six area MLB draftees ready to start pro careers". Herald Tribune. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  12. Brockman, Jim (June 7, 2014). "Five area players go in MLB draft". Herald Tribune. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  13. "Atlanta Braves Scouting Report on Pitcher Chad Sobotka". Fox Sports. June 30, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  14. Stewart, Jeremy (April 6, 2016). "Rome Braves ready to roll this season". Rome News Tribune. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  15. "Beckham joins Mudcats, Minter to Miss". MLB.com. July 2, 2016. Archived from the original on July 2, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  16. "Mississippi Braves reveal 2017 Opening Day roster". WLBT. April 4, 2017. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  17. Black, Miranda (April 4, 2017). "M-Braves Announce Opening Day Roster". MILB.com. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  18. Jackson, Ken (April 6, 2018). "Fire Frogs open 2018 Osceola schedule Saturday at 4 p.m." Osceola News Gazette. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  19. Shanesy, Todd (August 11, 2018). "Former Spartan Chad Sobotka perfect in debut with Braves". Spartanburg Herald. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  20. "RHP Chad Sobotka added from High-A Florida". MILB.com. May 15, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  21. Wellham, David (May 23, 2018). "Braves prospect updates: Allard, five others". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  22. Norris, Josh (June 1, 2018). "Florida State League Announces 2018 All-Star Rosters". Baseball America. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  23. "M-Braves: RHP Sobotka promoted to Gwinnett, LHP Brothers to Mississippi". WLBT. July 22, 2018. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  24. Harris, Chris (July 21, 2018). "RHP Chad Sobotka promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett, LHP Rex Brothers to Mississippi". MILB.com. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  25. "IronPigs rally past Stripers in series opener". Gwinnett Daily Post. July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  26. Tucker, Tim (August 10, 2018). "Braves encouraged about Sanchez's status for next start". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  27. Bowman, Mark (August 10, 2018). "Toussaint being considered for spot start". MLB.com. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  28. Tucker, Tim (August 10, 2018). "Braves rout Brewers in Gausman's home debut". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Archived from the original on August 11, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2018. Alt URL
  29. "USC Upstate's Chad Sobotka makes major league debut". Spartanburg Herald Journal. August 10, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  30. Bowman, Mark (August 11, 2018). "Sobotka provides depth to young Braves 'pen". MLB.com. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  31. Bowman, Mark (August 17, 2018). "Sobotka impressing in big league showings". MLB.com. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
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